Hoyo de Monterrey LE pyramide 2003

[Ken Gargett]

Only one left from my first box and what stunners they have been. Have another box in storage and very glad about that as a look at my notes over the course of the last almost four years shows that they have improved ever so slightly almost each time I have returned to them, with scores edging ever higher. A couple dipped to around 88-89 but most early ones were 90-91 and the last few have all been 94-95. These are one of the very best of all the Limited Editions. The latest had a dark chocolate wrapper, which gives an exciting appearance. Construction looks good and invariably proves so. Lovely old leather aroma when cool. Had depth and concentration of flavours. Good cone and a slow burn. Full of fruitcake and warm earth flavours. Rich and ripe. Some dried herbs and forest floor notes. Chocolate. These have moved from primary flavours into rich, complex secondary flavours, yet be assured that they still have a long, long future ahead. Will they get better? On the evidence so far, yes, which is a really exciting thought. The flavours build and build. Great cigar but difficult to see it really fitting into the array of Hoyo smokes with these characters. 95.

[shrink]

Thanks, Ken. A tantalizing, seductive and persuasive assessment that inclines me to invade the inner sanctum, and rouse one of these masterpieces from it's humid slumber.

[Ken Gargett]

i should add, before anyone thinks that i won the lottery, that when they were first released, they were available in havana for the equivalent of just us$130 a box. wish i'd got a heap more. those were the days!

[JMH]

I've only been lucky enough to have 2-3 of these, but each one was stunning. I wish I had a few more around.

[GTS21]

Very nice -- may be time to revisit these.

[bassman]

One of the few ELs I bought multiple boxes. They were reasonably prices back then. Als, one of the few ELs that tasted very good when new. Even better now.

[korryp]

» i should add, before anyone thinks that i won the lottery, that when they

» were first released, they were available in havana for the equivalent of

» just us$130 a box. wish i'd got a heap more. those were the days!

I paid almost twice as much and agree that this is one fine cigar. Still have 2/3 of my box left.

[Tampa1257]

My personal experience is that none of the Hoyo EL's have performed up to par. This is where personal preference comes into play. By in large, I have always been seriously disappointed by the vast majority of all Edición Limitada's. They all taste the same (except Montecristo), The Hoyo's have been for me, the worst of all EL's. You could not give me a Hoyo EL, to me it ranks right there with Guantanamera. Taste is a subjective issue, and the Hoyo EL's taste like charred burnt wood with absolutely no redeeming value.

[Freefallguy]

» Hoyo EL, to me it ranks right there with Guantanamera.

Amazing the difference in assessment, especially amongst the mods. Rob? Wilkey?

[El Presidente]

» » Hoyo EL, to me it ranks right there with Guantanamera.

»

»

» Amazing the difference in assessment, especially amongst the mods. Rob?

» Wilkey?

I can't agree.

I think there have been standout Edicion Limitada cigars.

Cohiba Double Corona

Cohiba Pirimide 2006

Montecristo Double Corona

Monteristo Robusto (2006)

Hoyo De Monterrey Pirimides.

I know plenty of menbers who love the original Partagas Serie D no 3 and the Partagas Pirimide.

When I tried the HDM Pirimide, I thought it was one of the great cigars. Unfortunatley, the box I have been smokeing through over the last year has lost a little of the complex flavours I loved. With Kens review I will re-visit it.

[Tampa1257]

Let me clarify, I did not say that all the EL's were IMHO lackluster, only the Hoyo have never done a thing for me personally. I loved the Partagas Serie D No.3 when they first came out, hell, I smoked through over 4 boxes of them! I have not tried any of the 2006 models, so I can not comment. I have enjoyed the Original Cohiba Piramide EL, as well as the Montecristo DC, C and have enjoyed the D as well.

My comments were in essence two fold, From the very beginning, each of the EL's all had the very same "Burnt Charred" flavor profile, it was the Edición Limitada "Taste" that if the EL's did not have it, they were probably not smoking an authentic EL. The second was that while there have been a few stand-out EL's they were not all good. In retrospect, I believe that the vast majority were rather lackluster.

Now the EL's have been a Marketing success story for both the Retailers and Habanos S.A., that there is no question about. They have become a Cash Cow for profits and large margin increases with lower annual volume. Which has given the Decision makers the belief that they are a success as well as raising the cost, profit and gross profit margins for Habanos.

My question has been historically, this is well documented even on this board, that the actual quality derived from the expensive "Latest and Greatest" has not always been there. It is my personal belief that I would rather have a box of Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No. 1, 2 or 3's over ANY Edición Limitada that has ever been made. I receive a much greater satisfaction level from those Habanos than I have ever received from an EL.

I still say that taste is subjective. It all boils down to personal likes and dislikes. There is no right or wrong answer, it is only opinion.

[Ken Gargett]

tampa, if taste wasn't subjective, i wouldn't have a job. i have always been happy for anyone, even rob, to have their own opinion, no matter how wrong it might be.

i think we need to get together to swap some monte C's aand hoyo LE pyramides.

[brian1]

Rob

Definately check out the Cohiba SUblimes 2004 EL...they are smoking superbly right now. Have you tried one lately?

» » » Hoyo EL, to me it ranks right there with Guantanamera.

» »

» »

» » Amazing the difference in assessment, especially amongst the mods. Rob?

» » Wilkey?

»

» I can't agree.

»

» I think there have been standout Edicion Limitada cigars.

»

» Cohiba Double Corona

» Cohiba Pirimide 2006

» Montecristo Double Corona

» Monteristo Robusto (2006)

» Hoyo De Monterrey Pirimides.

»

» I know plenty of menbers who love the original Partagas Serie D no 3 and

» the Partagas Pirimide.

»

» When I tried the HDM Pirimide, I thought it was one of the great cigars.

» Unfortunatley, the box I have been smokeing through over the last year has

» lost a little of the complex flavours I loved. With Kens review I will

» re-visit it.

[Mel]

I have mixeed feelings about the EL in general but I like this one.

[Ginseng]

» » Hoyo EL, to me it ranks right there with Guantanamera.

»

»

» Amazing the difference in assessment, especially amongst the mods. Rob?

» Wilkey?

I have not smoked many of the ELs. Of the one's I've tried and think are very good are the Monte D, PSD3, Sublimes, Monte Robusto 06. I've thus far been disappointed by the PSD1, Partagas Piramides. I have but a single specimen of the HoyoMid and it does smell fantastic.

I can't say that in general the ones I've smoked have been a class above the regular production Habanos I smoke. I don't typically delve into the limited releases as it's simply a consequence of funds distribution. In general I'd rather spend the money on two boxes of very good cigars that I know will perform over time rather than to speculate on one box of expensive cigars that I'll either only smoke on special occasions or rue the fact that I dropped the change on it.

I know it's getting a bit far afield, but a 50-cab of $5 petit coronas brings me pleasure in the measure that suits my life right now.

Wilkey

[wp2]

I had a chance to buy some, didn't, & have been sorry ever since.

[Arkay]

» i should add, before anyone thinks that i won the lottery, that when they

» were first released, they were available in havana for the equivalent of

» just us$130 a box. wish i'd got a heap more. those were the days!

As I recall although they were $130 per box they were not that readily available. Most were being exported.

Ron

[xibbumbero]

I was trying to decide what to smoke after dinner. I believe I have made up my mind. X:-P

[PigFish]

I am a diehard anti-EL type! One of the main reasons is that they generally under-perform. They represent a lack of smoking value. They are a rip-off!!! This does not mean that they “never” perform. Hell, even a blind hog roots up an acorn on occasion. So in keeping on topic I have to agree with Ken here. I do like the Hoyo P EL’s; they are good cigars. The main issue even with these cigars is this… they are not really any better than the nice Rafael Gonzalez PC that I smoked today!!! The RG’s cost me less than 100 bucks; the Hoyos cost me a helluva lot more than that but don’t really taste 3 times better!

If you make the argument that they are a commercial success; hell I don't care! TV commercials are a success as well and I don't like those either.

[slb6r]

I bought a few of those with different bands than usually shown (my bands have a white background, identical to the newer Hoyo EL 2004 Epicure Especial). I put them away for now. They look great, very dark, with a nice aroma.

Does any one know about a late batch with newer bands?

[habanohal]

» I bought a few of those with different bands than usually shown (my bands

» have a white background, identical to the newer Hoyo EL 2004 Epicure

» Especial). I put them away for now. They look great, very dark, with a

» nice aroma.

»

» Does any one know about a late batch with newer bands?

Those bands are the only boxes I have. Thopugh I know others that have original bands and didnt know the new ones came on them

[Bernard]

Great review.

I was thinking about a Cigar to celebrate Manchester United winning the league. I have 4 of the Hoyo 2003 LE left and after tonight I will have 3. And a bit less Eagle Rare 17.

[Ken Gargett]

» Great review.

»

» I was thinking about a Cigar to celebrate Manchester United winning the

» league. I have 4 of the Hoyo 2003 LE left and after tonight I will have

» 3. And a bit less Eagle Rare 17.

we just ain't ever going to hit it off. as a fan of the glorious gunners, may i suggest you use it to celebrate the champions league. whoops.

but seriously, it was nice to see jose's mob go down. never a fan of buying flags. and i might be wrong but i think that niether man u or chelsea beat us this year - our problem was we couldn't beat the duds.

wait till henry is back!!

[Bartolomeo]

HDM Piramides EL 03 OSU JUN 03

Lt Maduro wrapper color, oily and some veins, superb construction

Bought a fiver of these for $13/each

Pre draw was light in taste and some cedar notes

Ash was White/Grey w/ nice cone, semi tight

Even burn and draw through out

Initial puff was Mascarpone cheese, rich chocolate

Flavors included citrus peel, nuts, wood, dried floral bouquet

Dry sweetness the whole cigar

Very complex I thought

70 min smoke time

Med-Slightly Full in flavor

Savored this cigar between puffs and I enjoyed very much

Very good now and can only expect to get better as years go buy, will try to find more

9.25/10

Bart

[thechenman]

Marscapone cheese huh? Interesting...